WAEC to re-introduce electronic marking system

The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, International Office, on Monday said it is set to re-introduce electronic marking for its tests.

This was disclosed by WIO’s Head, Mr Adelowo Maliki, while speaking with newsmen in Lagos.

Adelowo said the process was first introduced in 2014, but later suspended in 2016 due to cost of maintenance.

He said, following the reintroduction, the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates would be marked electronically

Adelowo said, “We started this electronic marking in 2014 through to 2015, only for us to suspend it in 2016, due to high costs as regards the high exchange rate.

“But now, we are set to bring it back as we have gotten all necessary approvals from the council’s committee meetings and the council itself.

“This led to our trying to develop our own in-house and by the grace of God, the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates would be marked electronically.

“However, we will not be marking all the subjects through this mode, just some selected ones.

“So as soon as this examination is concluded, we will kick start marking electronically.’’

Stressing that the electronic mode of marking will further ensure test reliability, he said, “Here, you can be sure that if two people mark the same paper, they will arrive at the same scoring.

“So it will increase test reliability, which means that even for different people, there will be little or no deviation from what they awarded because this one is electronically done and if you are not doing it according to laid down rules, it shuts you off automatically on its own.

“At that point, you realise you are not doing the right thing and so if every paper can be done electronically, it is going to be the best.’’